Solar Energy

During the summer of California's rolling blackouts, we thought seriously about how to reduce our power use. We doubled our resolve when we heard certain politicians advocating drilling for oil in the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge.

With the help and expertise of Steve Moss from the San Francisco Community Power Cooperative, we were able to install a 33 kilowatt solar system that generates more than half of the electricity
we use.

At the time it went live, it was San Francisco’s largest solar system and third largest power producer. Today, Pet Camp is one of the largest privately financed solar power systems in the City.

At Cat Safari, we have installed a photovoltaic system on the roof to provide us with the electricity. For our hot water, we use solar thermal and tankless hot water systems. On most days, the solar thermal system provides all the hot water we need. On those days that the solar thermal can’t meet our needs on its own, it will pre-heat water before the water circulates through a tankless water heater.